Cabinet for treating limbs with radiation



Aug. 27, 1963 s co E JR 3,101,716

CABINET FOR TREATING LIMBS WITH RADIATION Fild Jan. 15, 1961 s Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

Edward S. (Wad/fr:

Aug. 27, 1963 E. s. CORNELL, JR 3,101,716

CABINET FOR TREATING LIMBS WITH RADIATION lllljjjmllllllll 1 30a 130 i 35 INVENTOR. 2 5210/07 6? 5. ('0iitfll J11 E.S.CORNELL,JR

CABINET FOR TREATING LIMBS WITH RADIATION 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Aug. 27, 1963 Filed Jan. 13, 1961 LI mm)!!!l DVVENTUR.

United States Patent 3,101,716 CABINET FOR TREATING LIMBS WITH RADIATION Edward Shelton Cornell, Jr., 9 'Winding Lane, Westport, Conn. Filed Jan. 13, 1961, Ser. No. 82,434 1 Claim. (Cl. 128-375) This invention relates to apparatus for treating parts of the human body with radiation and in particular skin diseases of the feet and hands, for example, athletes foot (T richophyton mentagrophytes interdigitale).

Competent research has demonstrated the bactericidal properties of short wave ultra violet rays emitted by the sun or produced by specially designed fluorescent lamps. Micro-organisms are deactivated or killed by exposure to these rays which exposure depends on the particular individual circumstances as to intensity and duration of exposure.

Adequate precautions, however, must always be taken to control the intensity and duration of exposure to avoid injury to the areas being treated and to prevent radiation to areas outside thereof. Ultra violet rays will not only fade colors but can cause conjunctivitis (inflammation of the outer membranes of the eyes) and a reddening, or even burns, of the skin. Care must be taken to prevent even reflected rays entering the eyes.

The most lethal radiation to microorganisms is at a wave length of 2650 A. (Angstrom units). Radiation above 3200 A. produces heat and induces pigmentation. Radiation below 2000 A. is absorbed by the oxygen in the air to produce ozone which again is harmful under certain conditions. For example, I use the wave length band between 2.300 A. and 2800 A. as generated by mercury vapor fluorescent lamps.

It is therefore one object of my invention to provide a portable compact radiation treating apparatus which will quickly and adequately enclose and seal off the area being treated.

Another object is to provide my apparatus with quick and easy access into and from the enclosure means for treating the desired area.

Still another object is to provide means for controlling the prescribed intensity and duration of the treatment.

Yet another object is to prevent the operation of the ray generating lamps if the access opening is not properly closed during treatment.

Another object is to provide disposable sanitary sealing means around the limb projected into the apparatus.

The invention consists generally in steps and means whereby the above-named objects, together with others which will appear hereinafter, are attainable, and the invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate the presently preferred form.

In the said drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus showing in dotted outline a foot inserted for treatment;

FIG. 2 is a plan view with one corner cut away to show a portion of the interior;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation showing in dotted outline a hand in position for treatment;

FIG. 4 is a section taken on line 44 of FIG. 3;

(FIG. 5 is an elevation viewed from the end containing the port;

7 FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the preferred means for securing the pad;

BIG. 7 is a plan view showing the preferred form of p 3,101,716 Patented Aug. 27, 1963 ice FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view of the cabinet showing the easy access opening;

'FIG. 9 is another embodiment analogous to FIG. 8.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, reference numeral .11 denotes the enclosing member or cabinet in general in which the area to be treated is confined during treatment. This cabinet may be constructed of any suitable opaque material, preferably sheet metal. The easy access opening 12, through which the limb is projected for treatment, embraces substantially one complete corner of the cabinet 11.

This easy access opening is substantially closed by a three'sided door 13 which pivots on a hinge 14 and is normally held in closed position by tension in the hinge spring 15 as clearly shown in FIG. 1 and in addition is tightly secured by magnetic catch 27 (FIG. 5). in an emergency, however, the patient may quickly and easily open the door 16 by pushing on the door knob 23 and easily overcome the magnetic and spring tensions.

As is also shown in FIG. 1, the apparatus is easily moved about by means of the carrying handle 22, and rests on feet 25. The standard electric extension cord 26 connects to the usual household electrical outlet.

While the door 13 substantially closes the easy access opening 12, port holes 16 and .17 are formed between the door and the top and end walls respectively through which a limb may project when a foot or a hand is undergoing treatment as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. To completely seal the remaining space between the limb and the edge of the port holes 1 6 and 17 respectively, semi circular pads 18 of resilient material 21 are inserted in the port holes as subsequently described. The pad 1 8, as shown more clearly in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, is semi circular in form and may be of any suitable resilient material which does not transmit ultra violet rays, such as sponge rubber, certain plastics or preferably layers of crepe paper 21 secured together. Radial slots 20 assist the pad in shaping itself to the limb under the pressure of the pivotal door. Another embodiment of the pad d8 comprises an extension of an outside layer of the crepe paper 21 to form a flap 10 which further assists in fitting the contour of the limb. The pads are held in place by inserting each semicircular section in a channel in the edge of the port holes 16 and 117 as shown particularly in 'FIGS. 4 and 6.

The channel in the top port hole is formed by flange 164: on the top of the cabinet and the flange 16b on the the top of the door cooperating with the edge 16c of the port hole on the top of the cabinet and the edge 16d of the port hole on the top of the door. in a like manner, the side port hole channel is formed by flanges 17a and 17b on the cabinet and door respectively cooperating with the edges 17c and 17d of the cabinet and door respectively.

In most cases, only one port hole will be in use at a time so that it is'necessary to seal off the port hole not being used by an opaque plug $9 seated in the respective channels thereof and held in place by friction plunger and detent 40.

By pivoting the door 13 (see FIG. 5) by means of hinge 14 on the side wall of the cabinet 11, a tangential component of force is brought into play at the port hole openings 16 and 17 when the door is closed (now see FIG. 1) which tangential force is substantially transverse to the limb of the patient projecting into the cabinet and effectively compresses the sealing pad 18 against the contour of the outer surface of the limb, thus easily and quickly sealing off all passage of lamp rays to the outside of the cabinet.

Bactericidal ultra violet rays are generated by mercury fluorescent lamps of the proper design and specification for the dimensions of the cabinet which will generate radiataion between 2300 A. and 2800 A., preferably 2537 A. A lamp 29 is mounted in the upper part of the interior of the cabinet and a second lamp 3% is mounted in the lower portion which together with reflectors 2% and 306 radiate a substantially uniform density of ultra violet rays to treat the desired area. A shield 2% telescoped over the upper lamp 29 for a short distance adjacent the ankle equalizes the intensity of radiation against the ankle or limb when projected into the top of the apparatus. A foraminous foot rest 32, supported by spaced cross bars 33, permits adequate passage of radiation from the lower lamp 30. The electrical circuit includes a safety switch 28 mounted on the inside top of the cabinet 11 which is operated by the opening and closing of the door 13 to allow the lamps to glow only when the door is tightly closed. FIG. 4 shows a bracket 28b mounted on the door which cooperates with the switch plunger 28a in the cabinet ll to operate this switch 23. The electrical circuit also includes a timer switch 24 (FIG. 1) which may be pre-set to turn off the lamp at the close or" the prescribed duration of the exposure. A bell 24a also rings when the pre-set time switch shuts off the electricity from the lamps.

A chassis base 35 serves to mount the lamp ballasts 29c and 300, the starters 29d and 30d and the lower lamp 30 and is detachably secured to cabinet 11 by any suitable means such as screws. in order to remove the chassis, the electrical circuit includes a multi-terminal disconnector 31 having cooperating plugs and sockets.

The preferred method of operation is as follows:

The apparatus is placed in a convenient location, as for example, a table in the doctors office so that the patient may sit in a chair. If it is desired to treat the area comprising the hand, pads 18 are inserted in the channels formed by the flanges around side port hole 17 while the door 13 is open. The patient inserts his hand into the cabinet resting on the foraminous rest 32. Then the door is closed about the wrist with the pads 18 compressing against the wrist to seal off the escape of any ultra violet radiation. Next, the timer switch is turned to the proper prescribed setting for the radiation exposure period. The patient may observe the light through the lens window 34 with safety to make sure the lamps are glowing properly. At the close of the exposure period, the bell 24a on the timer 24 automatically rings and the lamps likewise are extinguished. The patient then re- 45 moves his hand, and the pads 18 are discarded.

Another method of operation, when the apparatus is installed in locker rooms, is to place the apparatus on the floor connected to a convenient electrical outlet and the patient inserts his foot through the top of the cabinet. in this case, the side port hole 17 has been closed by the plug 39 in a similar manner as described above for the top port hole 16 and pads 18 inserted in the channels in the top port hole 16. The door is closed about the ankle and the timer switch 24 set to the proper interval. The patient may View the light through the lens window 34 to verify the glowing of the lamps. At the close of the period, the timer switch rings the bell and lamps are automatically extinguished and the door may be opened safely. The pads 13 are discarded after removing the foot.

While certain novel features'ot the invention have been disclosed herein, and are pointed out in the annexed claim, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes may be made by those'skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

An apparatus for treating limbs with radiation comprising a longitudinal cabinet having confining longitudinal and end walls and being formed of two partible complemental sections with parting edges of which two continuous edges extend in one longitudinal wall and one end wall, respectively; said two continuous edges lying substantially in a plane passing longitudinally through said cabinet when said sections are together; said sections being provided in said parting edges in one longitudinal wall and one end wall respectively with complemental recesses which together define apertures of outlines and sizes conforming to an ankle and wrist, of a foot and hand respectively, when reposing in said cabinet; and radiation means in at least one of said sections.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 847,324 Ely Mar. 19, 1907 2,054,332 Lower Sept. 15, 1936 2,444,379 Sexton June 29, 1948 2,817,340 'Cuvier Dec. 24, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 118,112 Germany Apr. 20, 1900 

